Written by Dealing with homosexuality can be difficult for Christians these days. Of course, God’s Word is clear about it. But as it has been pushed into our culture, we are being forced to deal with it. The old adage “Hate the sin but love the sinner” is being put to the test. It can be tough because some homosexuals have a very real and very dangerous agenda. Yet, if we really believe what we preach, we must acknowledge that Jesus offers hope to the homosexual, just as He offers hope to the thief, the adulterer, the murderer, etc.
Edward Fudge had a very good column on this issue. I’ve included it below.
gracEmail (SEXUAL INTIMACY AND HOLINESS)
EDWARD FUDGE
Jul 27, 2004
A gracEmail subscriber writes: “I am a devout Christian. I am also a lesbian. For several years I have been celibate but very lonely. I have been studying some material that reconciles faith with gay sexual orientation. It notes that Jesus himself was notably silent on the subject, that the Greek and Hebrew words translated as ‘homosexual’ roughly mean a male prostitute, and that Paul’s comments may have been addressing pagan religious rituals and practices rather than monogamous homosexual relationships. I’m really feeling confused.”
I commend you for seeking the Lord’s will about sexual activity in a time when most people give little if any thought to God’s wishes. Our culture thinks nothing of sexual intercourse between heterosexual singles. Modern society regards divorce as an easy escape from discomfort or as a means to self-fulfillment when one’s spouse loses that “special” aura or appeal. There is also a great move afoot today to legitimatize homosexual intimacy. Such attitudes and opinions result from worldly thinking not informed by the Holy Spirit. We need to renew our minds based on biblical revelation so that we are not deceived.
God’s plan for sexual relations calls for joyful and self-giving intimacy between one man and one woman who are married to each other for life. This excludes sexual relations between singles, between a married person and anyone other than a spouse and between people of the same sex. Jesus did not specifically address every form of sexual immorality. Instead he condemned impurity in general and reaffirmed God’s positive plan (Matt. 19:4-6).
Paul’s language in Romans 1:26-28, 1 Cor. 6:9-11 and 1 Tim. 1:9-10 clearly prohibits homosexual relations by either women or men. These prohibitions and warnings certainly include pagan practices, prostitution and promiscuity, but there is no biblical or linguistic basis for limiting them to that. Contrary to common assertions, the ancient world also was familiar with loving, long-term homosexual relationships (as documented by Dr. James DeYoung in Homosexuality: Contemporary Claims Examined in Light of the Bible and Other Ancient Literature and Law, published by Kregel.) Such relationships are no exception to blanket biblical condemnations of homosexual intimacy.
Homosexual orientation is a “brokenness” in our fallen world but a person is not sinning merely because they have such an orientation. Many heterosexual people also have “broken” cravings to which they too must say “No” for Christ’s sake. God can heal sexual brokenness of all kinds and he can supernaturally enable a holy life. This applies to homosexually-oriented persons as well as to the far greater number of unmarried heterosexual persons. Meanwhile, those of us who have truly experienced God’s love and forgiveness regarding our own sins need to come alongside our struggling brothers and sisters to encourage them in holiness and to offer godly friendship and spiritual intimacy.
For a pastorally-sensitive presentation of the larger biblical perspective on this subject, I recommend “The Gay Debate”, a little booklet by Stanton Jones, published by IVP, Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515.
© 2004 by Edward Fudge. Unlimited permission to copy without altering text or profiteering is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
good thoughts jeff
Just a thought here, but is it possible that we have been attacking homosexuality through the wrong means. It seems to me that in the past (and even now in the present) we have insisted on try to get across to the homosexual the theological concept that homosexuality is wrong. In other words, we have been trying to change the thought pattern of a person who is pulled by deep (sinful) passion. I am wondering if that is where we are messing up. I have been taught the theological concepts for years that lying is wrong, yet I still lie. I have been taught for years the theological conepts that lusting is wrong, yet I still at times find myself lusting. I have been taught for years the theological concept that materialism is bad, yet I still find myself materialistic. We have taught for years the theological concept that homsexuality is wrong, yet people continue to be homosexual, and of course we will weigh on the “sin scale” that one much heavier than the rest.
I think we have made a wrong turn in thinking that “we” need to change the thought patterns of others. I believe we need to provide a place where sinful people can come experience Jesus and be changed in the midst of the Savior and the Word of God. God holds and unleashes the power/means to change an individual. Are we at a place in our churches, where we can (as you stated earlier) love the sinner but hate the sin, enough to embrace them, love them, walk with them, and provide a freedom for them to be changed by the Lord?